come walk with me

madelyn's school has a fundraiser where they basically just ask people for money and then have some fun outside. i am not too sure about it as a fundraiser, but it was a fun event. i have come in twice to help with the tie dying of the shirts for the whole school and the kids seemed to really love them.

apparently, the kids were instructed to walk/run around the school three times and then gather on the playground for some activities and a snack (chips and water). families were invited to come and walk with the students. since it was an opportunity to come see madelyn at school when the boys would be welcomed with me, we raced over after swimming lessons.

madelyn was thrilled to see us! and very happy to walk around the school with us - for the first lap.

and then, as she told another parent, she "left us in her dust." manning had started crying to leave pretty much the moment we arrived, so i was ready to go if madelyn didn't want to walk with us. but maddux was having an amazing time! he LOVED the limbo stick! (he burst into tears when it was already put away on our last lap around.)

and maddux discovered an incredible gift for hoola-hooping! he could do five at a time! and in either direction! who knew?

somehow i made a new friend - ben - after madelyn ditched us. he talked to me the entire time, he waited for us every time we stopped and enjoyed our company. i learned all about his swimming lessons and the skills he has gained (like "holding my breath for 30 minutes, 10 times"), was given demonstrations of his gymnastic abilities and told countless stories about his summer, his family and his class. really, he was totally sweet and needed someone to listen. at least he was willing to walk with us.

we said a quick good-bye to madelyn on our way to the parking lot with my two crying boys. i am still glad that we were able to go. love.